Property from the Estate of Walter Becker
October 18 and 19, 2019 | Beverly Hills, CA
With Julien’s Auctions
All auction items are now online and open for pre-auction bidding at: https://www.julienslive.com/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/312
The printed catalog is also online in flip-book format at: https://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2019/Walter_Becker/Walter_Becker_Flipping_Book/
Julien's Summary Post with links to all relevant pages at: https://juliensauctions.com/auctions/2019/Walter_Becker/Walter_Becker_Subscriber.html
Known for his sublime and immediately identifiable guitar tone, his intimate knowledge of the tools of studio and stage, and his unique, impeccable ear, Becker is heralded as one of the most potent forces in popular music of the last 50 years.
“Julien’s Auctions is thrilled to offer this exceptional collection of musical instruments and gear owned and cherished by Walter Becker, the co-founder and creative genius of one of the most acclaimed and visionary bands of all time, Steely Dan, and a solo artist of uncommon uniqueness and creativity,” said Darren Julien, CEO/President of Julien’s Auctions.
"Walter Becker was legendary for his unique tone, his curiosity, his knowledge, his high audiophile standards, and the pleasure he took in experimenting to create just the right sonic landscape that would best support his creative and musical intentions. This fine and wide-ranging collection reflects all of these characteristics — and more — that helped make Walter Becker one of the most talented and respected all-around musicians and sonic connoisseurs of his generation."
If this event interests you, your first visit should be to Julien’s Auctions, my carefully-considered choice to handle Walter’s much beloved babies and to usher them into what we all earnestly hope are new loving and musical homes. Do your old D-Mod a solid — would you? — and send up a little wish for just that outcome?
That’s what Walter wanted, of course. And I like to think his legacy deserves no less.
The Julien’s Auctions folks have been truly spectacular, and I’ve been blown away by their knowledge, the care they are taking with this inventory, and what appears to me to be a truly above-and-beyond effort to do this one up right! They value Walter Becker, his work, his legacy, and his stuff! Wonderful!
Their site dedicated to The Becker Auction will be updating with details and news --- such as today's Rolling Stone piece on the auction -- and all you need to know to view the live auction online or even bid remotely, if you're so moved.
I strongly urge you to sign up for their newsletters and alerts! No way will we keep up with all the happenings and must-knows; So, please sign up with them if you are interested in following along.
No doubt I will have more to say as time goes on about what is for me, at least, a rather momentous event, although I’ll be leaving all the informative details to Julien’s, who will do a fine job of informing prospective bidders and observers.
But now, to no one’s surprise, I’d like to indulge in an initial observation about this collection, things you may not hear much about elsewhere, even though they speak eloquently, I believe, about the man and the cherished possessions I witnessed him acquire and use (and use! and use!!) for the last few decades.
And it is this:
I believe the collection reveals a somewhat unique aspect of Walter and his place — and reputation — in the music-making community both as a connoisseur and as a so-called “collector”; namely, his championing of up-and-coming luthiers and other sound professionals. To be sure, we find in his collection the Fenders, the Gibsons, the Guilds and the Marshalls; but we also find the Hahns, the Ian Andersons, the Grimes’, the Monty’s, the Satellites, the Dr. Zs (I’ve left out plenty of others’ names). And of course, when SD Mach 2 all began, there was that scrappy genius Roger Sadowsky already in fast mid-flight, building his his now-mighty empire.
Finding, supporting, and mentoring talented and aspiring professionals was important to Walter, and resulted in discovering and giving feedback on — and sometimes even helping to shape — personalized “boutique” instruments and gear, and then applying his innovative mind to benefit from their use. Watch amplifier developer Dr. Z here for an insightful and informed discussion of Walter’s use of creative and unique amps and amplification schemes, and how he would “play the amp as an instrument.”
His enthusiasm and creativity in wringing the best out of every noise-making contraption
he came across — well, let me tell you, it was a sight to behold.
There will be others along, I hope, who will speak more knowledgeably about Walter’s perhaps surprising (and not widely known) reputation within the guitar and gear community. But as far as I'm concerned, these pieces hold a special place in Walter’s collection, reflecting as they do his deep engagement with the gutsy and talented souls who help put more and better music into the world, and whom he so appreciated and valued.
Over and Out for now....,
D
Is there anything left of his basses?
Psue quoted a phrase from the introduction of the WB Auction Catalog. I answered there...but it was a thread on China Crisis so my spew more appropriately belongs here...so I moved it
---------
uh oh;----psue, I think that means you read the catalog introductionI 😣. I was extremely unhappy with that piece and only allowed its inclusion at the last minute.... And was rather hoping most people would just pass it by
The reason it's so miserably bad IMHO --aside from the fact that it was written quickly in one draft; not exactly the royal road to compelling prose --is because it was written with a specific goal in mind for the specific audience of auction participants, whom I knew were approaching the auction with some serious misconceptions. For better or worse I felt obligated to try and bring a little more truth to the situation
Since the whole project started with Julian's many many many moons ago, I had to educate them as to the true relationship Walter had with these masses of instruments, which were, honestly and understandably, really all they saw at the outset. I think .(Aside: and they got it, big time !! they became some of the biggest Becker boosters ever, truly comprehending and appreciating [and respecting] much of what made him a special musician and man. I love those guys)
As the stories get told the truth fills out … But a lot of those stories only emerge slowly. You've heard Hahn talk about going down to SIR many afternoons and just pulling out guitar after guitar for hours with Walter and NiteBob,,"talking sound". Now given that Walter went went to the location of the majority of his collection almost every day he was in New York , and stay for hours and hours, you can bet he wasn't hanging in the SIR lounge. And to my great happiness, it seems so many of you who received a guitar found that even a humble no-name plays really well, and may well have been modified, or at least set up carefully and properly. (check out the "Calling All Auction Survivors" thread for great feel-good stories about all the wonderful new homes and caretakers for the beauties). Just a few examples.
So very very few Instruments in that collection were impulse buys. (Possibly only the really bizarre looking novelty ones). If Walter bought a guitar -- that is, if he selected it from somewhere after playing everything else in the place for hours-- you can be certain he saw and heard something in it.. Almost immediately, he and his current tech would bring it into the workroom and think about what improvements may be needed, or what modification Walter thought he would like to try next. It wasn't paid for and then shelved. It was paid for and then fussed over, at least for little while.
In any case, I knew very well that most people assumed a collection like that was rarely touched by its owner. So I saw my job, if you will, in the introduction to try to convey just what a freak of nature Walter was, really, when it came to this sort of thing! In short, and frankly, that text appearing in that catalog was as much of a sales pitch as a tribute. And you might imagine how that made me feel
I nearly cried when it went to press.. There is really nothing of the man I and many of you love in that essay, except for the story of one tiny corner of his magnificent lunacy. It may have done its "job" but.... I let him down.
----
gee,
Sorry to be so verbose today. I think I've posted more in the last 36 hours then in the previous three months. For some reason I'm ... well, the only word for it is haunted. Or maybe possessed. I think someone must've put a voodoo spell on me.. None of you would do such a nasty thing to your D-Mod, would you? Actually, what am I saying?--- I know at least 10 people by name who would do exactly that.
But fuck 'em. The haunting, difficult as it is in a way, is buffeting me with a high high surf of him, of Walter, rushing so much of him into shore from his Point of Singularity...at least until it all rushes out again to nowhere (too soon: too soon).
And I can't really complain about that, can I?
Understood - thanks! Any info would be helpful and much appreciated. I'm probably way overthinking this but I just wish at least one of the pix from the show had this guitar in it.
No worries. I thought that was actually hilarious since I guess I did sign it "tia" and "tia" is also a name, so... my bad! I thought at first I found some photos of it but then realized that they were of him with one of his Sadowski's in heavy blue light. Easy to confuse at first if the headstock is cropped out. From all the pix I have found it looks like is stable on stage at Coachella included a light (natural?) Sadowski Tele, a red and a green Sadowski strats, a brown/fade Fender strat, and a yellow/red flame Ian Anderson Les Paul. There is one other on a stand that I haven't seen a pic with him playing that I can't quite make out - looks kind of Les Paul shaped but with a black pick-guard. The Paul he is seen playing has a white pick-guard. In any case it is definitely not a blue strat. In the auction the Anderson Paul (lot 27) and the brown Strat (lot 553) were also tagged as Coachella and you can see both of them in various pictures from the show. Does anyone know who compiled the history of the instruments that was used in the catalog? If I can't find a picture, I'd settle for finding out who said that it had been played there so I can ask them.
Hoping someone here could help out or suggest where I could go... I was lucky enough to win the blue strat item 502 https://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2019/Walter_Becker/Walter_Becker_Flipping_Book/270/ (because the ones I might have wanted more went right out of my price range). In the description it says that he played it onstage at Coachella. I've spent some time searching images, videos, even Facebook and Instagram postings from Coachella (although there are just too many social media posts to have gone through them all) and I don't see that guitar in any of the videos/photos. Perhaps he used it on the sound check, which probably doesn't have any photos? Any ideas or suggestions of either any evidence that he did indeed play it at Coachella or anyone I could ask about who said it had been played there in the first place? The only contacts I have at Julien's have not replied to my questions so far. Help! TIA
I would love to offer my heartfelt Congratulations to everyone that was able to navigate the
time constraints and the financial obstacles of the auction and was able to acquire one of
Walter's beloved instruments, or any of his equipment, and keep them in the family of this
inspiring community of people, all of whom have a very real sense of Everything Walter
Becker! Thanks to Everyone, and Love to Delia..
I will be back with more soon.. Lary
And I would second everything said by Oleander 1.
Just to live stream was a great experience.The love in the room for Walter came across loud and clear.
And I do have the catalogue,which is one of the most stunningly beautiful things I own.
Thank you D-Mod for all you do.
I'd like to echo your gratitude. The auction was a moving experience completely apart from any bidding, "winning," "losing," etc., even online. So, many thanks for sharing. I drank in every minute.
I was lucky enough to win the Grimes white electric guitar and the Peavey amps. I am thrilled to own a guitar that was one of his favorites in the early 1990’s and the amps he used in his dressing room during the 1993 tour. I would have loved to get a trophy guitar, like one of the Sadowskys, but I have a feeling that Walter would approve of my purchases. Congrats to all the winning bidders and everyone who participated! :-)
I just want to say Thank You for sharing Walters musical instruments with this auction and giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of owning and playing one of his guitars.
Hi.
I think it was there's is another auction.??
But it was late and I had friends round and I literally just caught a snippet through the general noise of conversation.
I do hope I haven't upset anyone.I'm sure D-Mod will put us right.
I can't elaborate as I didn't trust my ears at that time in the morning.!!
But it's certainly not bad.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the auction.
Best wishes.
Susan
I went to the auction on both days, had the privilege of meeting D-Mod and Matt, but I did not stay until the very end. What did the auctioneer say that was so controversial? Based on these comments, it sounds kind of bad. Please elaborate. Thanks.
I did hear it,but because I was tried I thought I may have misunderstood.
Well, I ended up empty handed. :( Anybody here manage to get anything?
The trouble I have run into is that I have set myself a budget on what I feel comfortable spending based on the type of item. I simply don't make enough money to splurge too much, so I'd have to sell something I already own to replace it with one of Walter's instruments. If I were to buy a guitar and needed to sell one of my guitars, I have an American made Fender Strat that I can probably sell for $700-$800, a higher-end Epiphone ES-335 that would probably get a little less than half of what the Strat would, and a super duper cheap acoustic guitar that would barely be worth anything. If I were to buy an amp, I'd need to sell my amp which is a Fender Mustang modeling amp that is probably only worth $125-$150 on the used market now. The issue is all the guitars are selling for close to $2000, and the amps are mostly in the $1000 range. There have been a couple amps that ended up going for a price I might have actually been okay with spending, but I got unlucky with the timing of those auctions. One was while I was driving home from work, and I couldn't bid in real time, so my bid I submitted in advance got beat by only like $50... :(
Like Dan,my luck ran out almost instantly. I was concentrating on the parlour guitars.I got close with the Royal but was woefully way out on the others....particularly lot 373.!!
But it's been amazing to watch the live stream and I shall be watching sessions 3 and 4 this evening from the UK.It was emotional to see the 1957 Aja Fender soaring away..
Good luck to you all for later.
Comments on day 1...?
Well, it's looking like I wasted my time even looking into the bidding process, registering, etc. These prices are jumping way out of my price range. An item I was high bidder on for a while there at $500 ended up selling for $2,560. I can't really afford to go into the four figures price range, so I'm pretty sure I am out of luck! :(
Are You Ready?
Prospective bidders - are you ready for the live auction beginning Friday AM? If you're interested in bidding you should be: registered; familiar with online bidding's procedures, latencies, and pace; researched your Lot(s) of interest -- which includes thinking out your max bids; and be ready to go.
See all the instructions, terms, and conditions for bidding here, in PDF and downloadable format:
http://walterbecker.com/TermsAndConditions.pdf
Once the action starts, it’s going to go 0 to 60, with no breathers. The online auctions I’ve been a bidder in, I’m usually yelling at the screen “Slow down. Slow down!” the whole time. Amazingly enough, no one listened to me.
I’ve just returned from the exhibition space and auction location on north Canon Drive. Words? Awesome and overwhelming -- that's all I got.
Many pics have turned up over the week - The WBMedia twitter site
https://twitter.com/wbeckermedia
is a good place to start seeing some, and a pic folder for Julien's Facebook is chock-a-block
https://www.facebook.com/pg/JuliensAuctions/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10157276523637713
All that's missing imo is a video walk-through -- it's almost impossible to get a sense of the true size and scale (and display prowess) from stills only. That'll be remedied soon.
Anybody else here physically visit the exhibit? Would love to hear your impression.
TBT reminder -- I was re-watching WB's rig rundown this morning, which I found surprisingly informative, given how many times I've watched it. It may be worth revisiting now that you've seen the goods. I think some of the info in the video is helpful in evaluating any catalog item...has good information about how he "worked", for example, establishes the idea of dressing room, rehearsal, hotel guitars as substantive and important as stage decisions, as another example. Anyway I thought it could inform some of the decisions you may have to make...
The Senorita ,lot 344 ,is a dream.
I am keeping up hope for one of the parlour guitars.
But my heart is still taken by the Ric Kelly Matt highlighted recently.
If money was no object? I think that I would love to have any of the guitars built
by Roger Sadowsky. I think that they have that special level of personal love and
craftsmanship, That really speaks to me.. But, just like you Dan, I am also especially
fond of the red Tele! I've always had a real attraction to Telecasters from the early
days of Rock And Roll, and Walter playing that red one on the Letterman show was
one of TV's greatest moments! But, to be honest, my medical bills from the last few
years will probably keep me in debt for 80- 100 years after I 'm gone. So I would love
to pick up one of the acoustic guitars that he would play while sitting around the
house having fun!! Yeah, that would be Cool.. Lary the dreamer
We're now firmly in auction week and a few of these are calling my name. Is anyone else eyeing "the one" in the catalog? What's your dream acquisition, if money was no object?
Can we assume the drum kit and snare drums in the auction were part of a 'house drum kit' used at Hyperbolic Sound, for rehearsals/recordings etc ?
Until I read the blurb from Steve Grimes in the catalog, I didn't know that Walter had some involvement in Grimes' album "Labor of Love". Steve said Walter was a co-producer, but the credits say he was "Musical Consultant". Anyway, happy to add that one to my collection!
As the auction of Walter’s beloved gear commences, how could anyone forget…
https://youtu.be/6t5s1vurAGs
This entire collection is disarmingly stupefying!! I'm going through this collection while songs like Show Biz Kids and Throw Back The Little Ones are playing in my head.. Even for a lifelong agnostic the term Heaven On Earth is taking on new meaning! Jeezus, This does Not Compute! I think I'm going back to bed and pull the covers over my head, and maybe I'll come out in a few weeks.. Maybe not!! Lary
Amazing....and the introduction by D is devastatingly beautiful.
https://juliensauctions.com/flip-through-catalog?id=296 There is an online version of the catalog, for all interested. Looks damn great.
Lost for words....unbelievable collection of guitars.....think I need an inhaler !!
Just spent the last couple of hours (at work) scrolling through them all. A couple of snare drums as well and a drumkit :-)
Hi Everyone, It's probably noteworthy to remember that Jeff was pubescent at the time, certainly not on the same mature, worldly level of the others. You can have a look at the lyric sheet/liner notes included with the album, and check out the photo of Donald and Denny Dias for reference purposes, to see the state of sophistication among the other musicians! I believe that Donald still wears that same sweater today!! I think that Denny routinely used the fire extinguisher to keep the flies out of the studio.. Lary
see what I mean about the "don't let them die" part?
Looking forward to receiving my auction catalogue soon and thumbing through it to see if some of my most curious WB guitar questions get answered. Such as, which guitar did he use for the following incredible solos:
1. Black Friday
2. FM
3. Home at Last
Not sure if the catalogue will have such kind of detail, or even if those particular guitars are part of the auction, but hoping so. I love learning more about these memorable musical moments.
Wow! Looks great !
The view from this side of The Pond ,London, looks pretty magnificent
Reelin in the years makes 44's summer playlist!
Timeless!
https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1165286625208950784/photo/1
I agree. It seems like the market is very good right now for vintage instruments owned by guitar gods. I only hope that the fact that Walter played so many different instruments and can't be as readily identified with a single instrument as Eric Clapton or David Gilmour. One thing that I've been thinking about is that Walter wasn't only a world class musician, but a world class collector who assembled an unparalleled collection of electric and acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, and pedals. I think once the entire catalog is revealed we can better discuss just how remarkable and encompassing this collection is.
I think the market timing of the WB auction could be just about right, based on things like this I've been reading (not that I think any of WB's will go for a million or anything like that...) : https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/duane-allman-layla-guitar-auction-873112/
Hi, all. Haven't posted in a long while but have been lurking a bit. Been feeling a little blue vis-à-vis Walter (i.e., sad that he isn't around), and even Donald. This discussion about the auction and the others about his studio, books, CDs, papers, etc., etc., etc. are kind of driving it all home. The worldly possessions of an other-worldly talent.
I'm happy to read what everybody's saying. Makes me feel better. And the pictures of the guitars bring me great joy! I'm glad I can stop by here when I'm missing Walt.
Additionally, I'm so glad when there's a tune to download. Hearing Walter is the real balm. The newsletters are also another bright spot.
D-Mod, still haven't gotten my film developed. I need to get off my arse and get that done to see if there's a picture from my time with Walter at the Tokyo International Forum in 2000.
-- fin --
Premier Guitar ran a feature and short film about Walter's gear in 2011 which I saw a few years back. A real insight into Walter's set up, guitars, amps, speakers and foot pedal configurations, picks etc..
These two had their work cut out from venue to venue. Really interesting
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Steely_Dan_s_Walter_Becker
Posted "Josie, Carlton, and the "Letterman Guitar" last night, which I'm linking to here because I think the Sadowsky Walter is playing in the Letterman '95 clip might be in this auction...
Hey Matt... how the hell can we change the default color of links within posts to something the average human eye can see? A nice mid-purple or something, as on the FAQ
God bless Matt for keeping us all up on what Julien's is releasing so far to various outlets...I guess they have their own strategy what, when etc. But all please don't hesitate to email Julien's (contact info below, also on their WB auction page) with your questions (and report back their answers if any! ). It's good they see this sort of interest from the true-blues . Thanks all
Julien's Inquiries
Phone (310) 836-1818.
Email: info@juliensauctions.com
93225-WALTER BECKER STAGE PLAYED SADOWSKY SIGNATURE MODEL #1
The original Walter Becker signature model Sadowsky guitar featuring a spalted maple top and ash body with a sunburst finish. The signature model later went into production while this example was played extensively on stage by Becker. The headstock bears the serial number 5065 and is also affixed with an adhesive label with the number "1." Accompanied by a hard shell case.
93226-WALTER BECKER STAGE PLAYED IAN ANDERSON STANDARD GUITAR
An Ian Anderson Standard electric guitar played extensively on stage by Walter Becker. The guitar is modeled after a Les Paul standard and features a maple top and mahogany body finished in a classic cherry sunburst. The interior of the control cavity is inscribed in pencil with "The Green Danalishi/ 6-1-11/ Ian Anderson" and the headstock is affixed with three adhesive labels: one is printed with "10's"; one is inscribed "ALP"; and one is printed with "1." Accompanied by a fitted road case.
93216-WALTER BECKER 1969/1970 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM
A late 1969/1970 Les Paul custom electric guitar with typical black finish and gold hardware. Featuring a neck volute and stamped to the headstock with serial number 910835, the headstock appears to be lacking a "Made in USA" stamp, potentiometers date to 1970. Accompanied by a potentially original hard shell case.
93217-WALTER BECKER STAGE PLAYED HAHN MODEL 229 GUITAR
This double cutaway strat-style guitar made by Hahn was a favorite of Walter Becker and was personally chosen show after show out of his extensive and rotating array of stage instruments. Finished in a distinctive green sparkle and fitted with a solid maple neck above three single coil pickups. The neck plate bears the serial number 110408 which is additionally hand-inscribed to the headstock in silver marker, the headstock has also been affixed with two adhesive labels, one printed with "11's" and the other inscribed with "HG." Accompanied by a fitted road case.
93223-WALTER BECKER 1961 FENDER STRATOCASTER
A 1961 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar with double cutaway alder body finished in sunburst, maple neck and rosewood slab fret board. Serial number 61229 stamped to neck plate. Accompanied by a potentially original hard shell case.
93222-WALTER BECKER 1952/1953 GIBSON SJ-200 CUSTOM
A 1952 or 1953 Gibson JS-200 Custom jumbo sized flat top acoustic guitar with sunburst finish. Featuring a spruce top, maple body, floral decorated pickguard, and typical inlays to bridge and fingerboard. Paper label to inside with serial number A14099, neck block stamped with order number Z2999. Accompanied by a vintage fitted hard shell case.
93212-WALTER BECKER 1928 MARTIN 00-28 GUITAR
A Martin 00 size flat top guitar with mahogany body and neck, a herringbone-banded spruce top inlaid with an unusual but likely original pickguard, ebony bridge and fret board with split diamond inlay. Serial number 35972 stamped to neck block. "C.F. MARTIN & Co./ NAVARETH.PA." stamped to backside of slotted peghead. Accompanied by the potentially original fitted hard shell case.
93214-WALTER BECKER BACON & DAY SENORITA S-6 GUITAR
A fine example of the rare Senorita S.6 model guitar manufactured briefly in the mid 1930s by Bacon Banjo. The flat top acoustic guitar features a spruce top with inlaid pickguard, finished in a dark sunburst. The pearloid headstock face, like the inlays, features incised and painted decorations and is additionally set with rhinestones. The backside of the headstock is stamped with the serial number 1147 and the interior is affixed with a paper label for Bacon Banjo Co. Inc. of Groton Connecticut. Accompanied by the original faux alligator hard shell case.
93232-WALTER BECKER 1936 D'ANGELICO EXCEL GUITAR
A fine early example of an Excel model archtop guitar handbuilt by luthier John D'Angelico. The spruce top and maple body with a sunburst finish, fitted with a Grover DeLuxe tailpiece, ebony bridge and fretboard. The headstock with delicate inlays, engraved Grover tuners, and a distinctive brass finial. Serial number 1154 (possibly 1164 or 1184) is stamped to the interior. Accompanied by a Lifton alligator hard shell case.
93213-WALTER BECKER 1955 GIBSON ES-5
A Gibson ES-5 archtop electric guitar with natural finish maple body and spruce top. Paper label to interior bearing the serial number A 20227. Accompanied by a potentially original fitted hard shell case.
93215-WALTER BECKER 1959 GRETSCH TENNESSEAN SIGNED BY CHET ATKINS
A Gretsch Chet Atkins signature model 6119 Tennessean hollowbody electric guitar. The maple body finished with Western Orange stain and fitted with a Bigsby tremolo. The pickguard is signed by Chet Atkins in white marker, inches away from the factory printed facsimile signature, paper label to interior bears the serial number 33989. Accompanied by a hard shell case.
93218-WALTER BECKER 1970 AMPEG DAN ARMSTRONG BASS
An Ampeg Dan Armstrong bass guitar with clear Lucite body. Serial number D554A. Accompanied by a road case.
93219-WALTER BECKER 1959 FENDER PRECISION BASS
A 1959 Fender Precision Bass with an alder body finished in a dark sunburst, maple neck with rosewood slab fret board. Serial number 42645 to neck plate, potentiometers date to 1959. Accompanied by a vintage hard shell case.
93221-WALTER BECKER 1958 FENDER PRECISION BASS
A 1958 Fender Precision Bass with alder body finished in a dark sunburst, gold-toned anodized aluminum pickguard, maple neck and fret board. Serial number 28649 to neck plate, there is a very faint and mostly illegible inscription to the pickguard beginning with "LERIC"..." Accompanied by a vintage hard shell case.
93220-WALTER BECKER 1965 FENDER JAZZ BASS
A 1965 Fender Jazz Bass in its original, now yellowed Olympic White finish. Chrome bridge and pickup covers have been removed but are present and included. The neck plate is stamped with serial number L70151 and the neck is dated "7NOV65A." Accompanied by a potentially original hard shell case.
93160-WALTER BECKER STAGE PLAYED JAMES TYLER CLASSIC
A James Tyler Classic model solid body electric made for, and played often by Walter Becker. The Stratocaster inspired guitar is finished in a transparent deep wine red and fitted with three single coil pickups, Schaller tremolo, a locking nut and a maple neck with slab rosewood fretboard. The neck heel is inscribed in pencil with "Becker." Accompanied by a padded gig bag.
93281-WALTER BECKER MESA/BOOGIE "KING TUBBY" SPEAKER CABINET
A custom MESA/Boogie open back 2X12 speaker cabinet which featured prominently as part of Walter Becker's on-stage rig. Equipped with two Celestion Blue alnico 12-inch speakers, clad with textured green and red tolex and fronted by a grill cover printed with an image of the legendary producer King Tubby. The cabinet is housed within a fitted road case which is stenciled with "STEELY DAN," "WALTER BECKER" and "WB-8."
93283-WALTER BECKER BOGNER ECSTACY 100B AMPLIFIER
An early Bogner Ecstacy 100B amplifier head. The three-channel, 100-watt, tube driven, hand-wired amp was a favorite of Walter Becker, along with its various successors. The white chassis and black face both have been marked with extensive setting guides in various colors. Inscribed with the serial number "/ Δ +" or 134. Accompanied by its original footswitch and housed within a fitted road case stenciled with "WALTER BECKER" and "G4."
93282-WALTER BECKER STAGE AND STUDIO USED CUSTOM SATELLITE AMPLIFIER
A Satellite amplifier head made for and used extensively by Walter Becker. Powered by two KT66 tubes, two 12AX7A tubes and running through a 5AR4 rectifier. The faceplate features controls for volume, bass and treble. The chassis is stamped with the serial number WB001. Housed within a fitted road case stenciled with "WB-20."
93156-WALTER BECKER STAGE PLAYED GIBSON FLYING V HERITAGE KORINA GUITAR
A Gibson Heritage Reissue of the 1958 Flying V finished in natural Korina, serial number C102, accompanied by a padded gig bag.
93488-WALTER BECKER 1957 FENDER DUO-SONIC FEATURED IN "AJA" LINER NOTES
A 1957 Fender Duo-Sonic electric guitar which is being played by Walter Becker in a photograph used in the liner notes to the 1977 Steely Dan album "Aja." The original finish has been stripped and left natural, the guitar is also equipped with a maple neck and fretboard, anodized aluminum pickguard and later 6-saddle bridge. The neck plate is impressed with the serial number -20617. Accompanied by the original hardshell case and a copy of the album.
https://www.musicradar.com/news/reelin-in-the-gear-walter-beckers-guitars-and-amps-go-up-for-sale?fbclid=IwAR1D8NMGOEs-l5ULB4lLqODlTRXALQ-ei4mmV2cQNVPHDMMHpg7u-l8o4Ks This article has a lot of pictures and some more info about a few of the guitars. @Moderator: D-Mod, you were right about the white pickguard on that specific Ian Anderson.
Aside from the guitars and gear, I’m hoping you will also consider including some of Walter’s CD’s and books. As a film & TV memorabilia collector, I can telol you that Darren Julien and his team do a first-rate job cataloging and promoting their sales. You would think mundane everyday items would not be of interest to true fans, but the opposite is true. Even clothing and ID cards have value. In any event, if a WB archive is not a realistic possibility, at least his fans can buy a piece of his legacy. I, for one cannot wait to bid and hopefully win a guitar. Which guitar do you think may have meant the most to him? Did he have a favorite? Also, did Walter collect watches? Will any of his watches be offered for sale? Thank you so much for putting up this site. I love it!
Will all the items in the auction be eventually viewable online before the auction starts ?
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/guitars-and-gear-belonging-to-steely-dans-walter-becker-to-be-sold-at-auction Coverage in Guitar World. A couple of guitars pictured:
In addition to being the guitar Walter was holding in the Aja liner notes, this is supposedly the guitar that he used to record the Black Friday solo on Katy Lied.
and:
A commenter on Facebook said about the above guitar, "An early D’Angelico Excel for 10 - 15 K owned by WB??!! I’d buy it today for that. It will go between 30 - 40 K." I just know that both of those are beautiful instruments.
Is it safe to say an "Ian Anderson" is a Flute?
“Not widely known in the community?”
Everybody knows Walter Becker is a GEARSLUT!
https://youtu.be/6t5s1vurAGs